Whether you\u2019re heading somewhere tropical, you\u2019re off to a wedding or you simply want to reverse the paleness from a long winter indoors, getting a spray tan is a quick and easy way to bring some color back to your skin. When done right, it gives you that just-off-the-beach sun-kissed glow for days, but much safer\u2014no laying out or dangerous UV exposure required. However, to get the most natural and long-lasting results, prepping your skin beforehand is key. Wondering how to prep for a spray tan? Read on for all the tips and tricks, directly from a tanning expert.<\/p>\n
How to Prep Skin for a Spray Tan<\/h2>\n
To get the best results out of your tan, skin prep is essential. It starts long before the day leading up to your spray tan appointment\u2014it actually begins the week before.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
First, make sure you\u2019re starting with a blank canvas. \u201cIf you have any existing self-tanner or an old spray tan on, start removing that days in advance,\u201d says Erika Vasco, founder of The Tan Edit. \u201cTrying to scrub it off last-minute usually leaves behind uneven pigment, and the new tan will grab onto that immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next, the rest of your prep will be about 48 hours before your appointment. First up: exfoliation. \u201cExfoliate one to two days before your appointment so the skin is smooth, but not freshly worked on,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cFocus on areas that hold dryness\u2014ankles, knees, elbows\u2014but don\u2019t overdo it.\u201d A gentle exfoliator like the Esponjabon Oatmeal Soap Sponge ($5) can do the trick.<\/p>\n
Then, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. \u201cHydration is what makes a tan look expensive,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cDry skin doesn\u2019t hold color evenly; it breaks it apart. When your skin is hydrated, the tan develops softer, more diffused, and fades evenly.\u201d So, she recommends hydrating dry areas the night before your appointment.<\/p>\n
Then, on the day of your appointment, arrive completely free of any product on your skin, including lotions or deodorant. \u201cEven if the skin looks clean, those ingredients can sit within the follicles and continue reacting,\u201d says Vasco. This will deliver a more even tan.<\/p>\n
The state of your skin matters before a spray tan: \u201cWhat most people don\u2019t know is DHA doesn\u2019t penetrate the skin; it reacts with amino acids in the stratum corneum,\u201d explains Vasco of the active ingredient that makes spray tans work. \u201cIt\u2019s a surface-level process, which is why skin condition directly impacts the final result.\u201d<\/p>\n BUY NOW – $5<\/p>\n You should only shave 24 to 48 hours before your appointment, and not any later than that. \u201cFreshly shaved skin is less consistent, which can affect how evenly the color forms,\u201d says Vasco.<\/p>\n Shaving also exposes the hair follicles, which can affect results too. \u201cWhat people think are \u2018open pores\u2019 (which don\u2019t open or close) is actually follicular pooling, where bronzer or DHA settles into the follicle, creating a dotted look,\u201d says Vasco.<\/p>\n Avoid anything that could disrupt your skin, including applying lotions and deodorant or doing any last-minute treatments.<\/p>\n \u201cOils, lotions, deodorant, perfume and anything sitting on the surface will interfere with how the tan develops,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cEven subtle residue can shift the result.\u201d<\/p>\n In terms of avoiding last-minute treatments, that goes beyond just shaving. \u201cNo waxing, no aggressive exfoliation, no trying something new right before your appointment,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cSkin that\u2019s been recently \u2018worked on\u2019 tends to develop unpredictably.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes, you can easily make your tan last longer by hydrating. That means using hydrating skin-care products, whether that\u2019s cleaning your skin with hydrating body washes or applying moisturizing lotions, as well as drinking plenty of water. \u201cIf you\u2019re spray tanning regularly, this isn\u2019t prep, it\u2019s maintenance,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cDHA is inherently drying, so if your skin isn\u2019t consistently hydrated, the tan won\u2019t wear well.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to be consistent with your hydrating skin-care all the time, not just the few days leading up to an appointment. \u201cDrink your water and moisturize twice daily, and not just when you have a tan on,\u201d says Vasco. \u201cSkin that\u2019s balanced holds color better, fades cleaner and looks more natural.\u201d A daily moisturizer like Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($15) that\u2019s non-greasy and non-comedogenic is a good option.<\/p>\n BUY NOW – $15<\/p>\n Getting a spray tan for the first time can feel daunting, but it\u2019s really not. \u201cFormulas are more refined, techniques are more customized and there\u2019s a much deeper understanding of skin tone and undertone now,\u201d says Vasco.<\/p>\n For first-timers, her biggest tip is to trust your spray tan artist and follow their directions as they\u2019re the expert. \u201cIf they tell you to rinse at a certain hour, there\u2019s a reason\u2014it\u2019s based on how your skin develops,\u201d says Vasco.<\/p>\n And if you aren\u2019t quite ready for a spray tan but still want to get the glowing effects, that\u2019s okay too: You can try a self-tanner at home. If you\u2019re nervous about a spray tan on your face, you can also ask your spray tan artist to avoid it and then just use self-tanner like The Tan Edit Water Veil ($44) on your face to make everything look cohesive.<\/p>\n BUY NOW – $44<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"esponjabon](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/0vv8moc6\/newbeauty\/f6499950c485f2783d0340f46c2a7a3a0ff6cbb8-2000x2000.jpg?w=1200&auto=format&q=80\")
Can You Shave Before a Spray Tan?<\/h2>\n
What Should You Not Do Before a Spray Tan?<\/h2>\n
How to Make Your Spray Tan Last Longer<\/h2>\n
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Tips for Beginners<\/h2>\n
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